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Bluegrass festival brings big crowds

By Philip Pettus

The largest crowd ever in 14 years attended the Auburndale Bluegrass Festival, March 16-18 and the organizer-promoter, Carl Allen was the featured guest Saturday night as dignitaries, friends and officials paid tribute to him for being selected to receive the Florida Heritage Award later this year.
Allen was cited on the stage of the City Park gazebo Saturday evening by Mayor Bill Whatley, State Representative Fred Jones, City Manager Jim Bell, Polk School Supt. John Stewart, Armand Loomis, chief of the Bureau for the Florida Folklore Programs under the Department of State and special friends Tony Green, Bud Sknette and J.R. Mandis.
Kathleen Monahan, a member of the Florida Folklore Council, conducted the short program from 8-8:30 p.m. and introduced the various guests.
Fred Jones called Allen a "state treasure," and "friend I love."
As kind words befell him, Allen just stood and grinned that characteristic smile that makes him one of the best-known 'Crackers" in crackerdom.
The bluegrass music was the featured show and attracted thousands, nobody knows how many for sure. But everyone says the Friday evening crowd was bigger than they recall ever seeing it. Saturday and Sunday found even larger crowds an hand, listening, eating and visiting.
Fourteen bands played, changing every 30 minutes and the audience was treated to other diversions as well, including food, crafts, and cool weather.
Allen said he believed the show was the "cleanest in the state," referring to both the lack of litter and the language and conduct of the bands and the crowd. The winning band and the Florida State Champion Bluegrass was once again, The Prospectors from Okeechobee. They won $1,000 for their prize. Second place and a $500 winner was County Line Bluegrass, while the third place and $250 winner was Canada Brothers Bluegrass.
None of the winning bands were from Polk County, giving rise to the claim by Allen that it was "strictly impartial judging".
Winning the fiddle competition was Bob Kopug of the Cananda Brothers and the winning banjo player was Gilbert Hancock of Back Yard Bluegrass. Both won $100.
Allen said he couldn't say enough about the cooperation received from the city and thanked City Manager Jim Bell, Police Chief Dean Longo and Recreation Director Marvin Wiley for their personal assistance.
During the Monday night City Commission meeting, Bell said the entire city staff and all departments had a hand in helping the festival and also cited public works, utilities and fire department workers for their help.
Bell said a new city restroom was recently constructed behind the Chamber of Commerce office and it, although not built specifically for the festival, certainly enhanced everyone's enjoyment.

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